diymy Chapter 82 I'll run around alone some more
Chapter 82 I'll run around alone some more
Chapter 82 I'll Run Alone One More Time (10,000 words! Please subscribe! Please subscribe!)
Lin Feng said Deng Shuang acted well, and she really did. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that she was the most outstanding character in "Painted Skin." She truly captured the pure and ethereal fairy feeling. Other fairies always had a worldly feel to them. Even the female lead Sun Li's look was quite ordinary. More importantly, Lin Feng said that Deng Shuang's acting skills have improved, not only compared to before, but also significantly compared to her previous life. This is definitely the result of being nourished by love.
Since that's the case, Lin Feng should really give Deng Shuang some more time to help her improve her acting skills even faster. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and the two were especially affectionate this time.
Afterwards, Deng Shuang said with lingering enthusiasm, "Lin Feng, I heard you're preparing to lead the investment in the fantasy drama 'Swords of Legends.' No matter what, I want to act in it!"
Lin Feng has been hearing the phrase "no matter what" a lot lately. How can anyone say that, and be so forceful? Well, it's Lin Feng's debt to pay.
However, Lin Feng also didn't really want Deng Shuang to play the role. Yang Mi was already giving him a headache, and if Deng Shuang were added to the mix, his head would explode!
Lin Feng also said tactfully, "Xiao Shuang, the investors have already designated Yang Mi as the female lead. Your popularity and status are no less than Yang Mi's. Why don't you go and be her second female lead?"
Furthermore, this drama is a typical male-centric show; the male lead is the most prominent character. Even the female lead doesn't have many memorable scenes, let alone you as the second female lead. Frankly, you'd be better off not acting at all. Participating in this film or television series won't significantly enhance your career. You'd be better off using your role in "Painted Skin" instead.
With this momentum, how about he star in a movie or something? What do you think?
I don't think it's good!
I just want to act with you. How long has it been since we acted together? You do the math, it's been almost two years since we last acted together. Since we finished filming the second season of "Meteor Shower", how many dramas have you acted in? About four, right? You haven't acted with me in any of them!
"I don't care, I don't care about the female lead, I don't care about the second female lead, even the third female lead is fine, I just want to be with you, um, act together. Besides, we got together when we were promoting the second season of 'Meteor Shower' on 'Happy Camp,' but we haven't acted together since we actually got together!"
Deng Shuang is so purely love-struck!
Just as Lin Feng was about to say something to refuse her, Deng Shuang suddenly transformed into a movie star, her eyes welling up with tears, and she said pitifully, "Lin Feng, do you not like acting with me? Or is there something going on? You said you would never leave me!"
"No, of course I'd act with you! But this time, I'll have to give you the second female lead role in 'Swords of Legends,' so please don't be angry!"
After Lin Feng agreed, Deng Shuang immediately beamed with joy. The speed at which she changed her expression is remarkable; no wonder people say women are born actresses.
Right after the release of "Painted Skin," the film "Love is Not Blind," spearheaded by Lin Feng, was completed. Lin Feng went to see it and thought it was very good.
After the internal screening, Lin Feng proactively applauded director Xue Xiaolu, saying, "Director Xue, the film was excellent; it's exactly the effect I wanted!"
The visuals, the production quality, the soundtrack, the acting—Lin Feng's version is definitely much better than Wen Zhang's version of "Love is Not Blind" from his previous life. Now Lin Feng has even more confidence.
"This is the result of everyone working together!"
"But you should be mentally prepared beforehand!"
"What kind of mental preparation?"
"To become a female director whose films gross over 100 million yuan! By the way, is she the first in China to do so?"
"You, Xu Jinglei's 'Go Lala Go!' grossed 1.24 million, and you also starred in Li Yu's 'Buddha Mountain'."
"1.52 million! Several directors have already grossed over 100 million at the box office!"
"Oh! Really? So none of their films grossed over 200 million, right? Then I'll be the first female director to gross over 200 million. Hmm, how about the title of 'Most Bankable Female Director in China'?"
"Hey! Let's talk about the movie's release and distribution first. There's no point in us saying more; in the end, it's the audience who decides!"
Yes! It's time to contact major film and television companies and clarify the distributors.
Lin Feng and Xue Xiaolu first approached China Film Group Corporation (CFGC), the leading film company in China and a state-owned enterprise. CFGC wasn't too unscrupulous in its dealings, making it a good fit for newcomers like Lin Feng. Coincidentally, CFGC had distributed Xue Xiaolu's previous film, "Ocean Heaven," so there was some connection. Moreover, CFGC was also the distributor of "Love is Not Blind" in his previous life. Perfect!
Even more coincidentally, I happened to run into Han Sanping, the chairman of China Film Group, while watching the film. He was quite interested in the chick flick "Love is Not Blind," which had a refreshing and innocent feel to it.
"Your movie is good, it's refreshing. China Film Group can distribute it. Is it a revenue sharing deal or a one-time buyout? If it's a buyout, we can offer 1500 million directly."
This is a hugely popular commercial blockbuster from his previous life, so Lin Feng will definitely choose to share the box office revenue. Moreover, Lin Feng has quite a few requirements: "President Han, thank you for your confidence in us. We are also very confident in this film. Therefore, we hope that the publicity expenses will not be less than 10 million (the distributor will advance the funds, which will be deducted from the final agency fee). At the same time, we hope that the distribution agency fee ratio for the film 'Love is Not Blind' can be set in a tiered manner with the film's box office revenue."
For example, for "Love is Not Blind," which grossed less than 100 million yuan, the distribution agency fee was 15%; for films grossing over 100 million yuan, it was 10%; and for films grossing over 200 million yuan, it was 5%.
For blockbuster commercial films with high expected box office returns, distributors will appropriately reduce the agency fee percentage, generally to 5%-10%, in exchange for more box office revenue sharing opportunities.
Low-budget films, with their lower expected box office returns, command higher agency fees, typically ranging from 10% to 15%, or even 20%.
These are all possibilities, used to cover risks.
Lin Feng wants far too much. If he were a big-name director, he would also want to reach a tiered revenue-sharing agreement with theaters, and many of the conditions he mentioned are those of a commercial blockbuster.
Is "Love is Not Blind" a commercial blockbuster?
No, it's just a low-budget film!
This displeased Han Sanping. He was only slightly interested in "Love is Not Blind" and agreed to its release, but it was not "absolutely necessary" for him. It was far from being at that level.
The publicity budget must be no less than 10 million. The total investment cost of "Love is Not Blind" was only 10 million, so the publicity ratio is already 100%. You should know that the industry standard for publicity ratio is 30% to 70% (usually around 50% of the production cost). That is to say, "Love is Not Blind" had a production cost of 10 million, and its publicity expenses were about 5 million, at most 7 million. But Lin Feng demanded a publicity ratio of 100%, which is basically the publicity ratio of Hollywood blockbusters!
Furthermore, you want to implement a tiered commission rate for film distribution fees? You're a newcomer, not a newcomer at all, you're just an actor, and you want to lower the commission rate right from the start?
Are you a blockbuster commercial film?
No!
Are you a famous director?
Nor is it!
No, that's not it!
Han Sanping felt that Lin Feng was too young and arrogant, and she didn't know what he was thinking, daring to propose such outrageous conditions. He said directly and bluntly, "We can distribute it. The maximum pre-release publicity cost is 6 million, and the distribution agency fee ratio cannot be changed to 15%. Regardless of how much 'Love is Not Blind' does at the box office, you can reconsider."
Lin Feng knew he was being a bit outrageous, but he clearly knew that "Love is Not Blind" was a box office hit, so why didn't he try to get more of a share? Even just a small percentage would still amount to a considerable sum!
Moreover, Lin Feng also wanted to further increase the publicity budget for "Love is Not Blind" and boost the box office in advance. He couldn't possibly spend another 6 million on publicity in his previous life!
Fortunately, China Film Group did not reject them outright, leaving room for future cooperation. They decided to keep China Film Group as a backup option for now, and then Lin Feng and his team went on to the next film company.
Bona Film Group, on the other hand, immediately rejected the offer upon hearing that the advertising expenses would be no less than 10 million yuan, the agency fee would be split in tiers, and the release date would be November 11th, a relatively unpopular release date compared to the usual Hollywood blockbusters.
The next stop was Huayi Brothers, this time represented by CEO Wang Zhonglei. His motivation was more about Lin Feng himself than the film "Love is Not Blind." He said, "Lin Feng, if we're talking about the most film and television resources in the industry, it's definitely Huayi. If you join Huayi, you'll have tons of opportunities. Like now, you've acted in a blockbuster like 'Painted Skin 2.' As for your starring role in 'Love is Not Blind,' you don't need to rush. We can discuss it further! Next year's Valentine's Day or Qixi Festival would be even better!"
Since Huayi had no interest, Lin Feng didn't say anything more and turned to leave. After following him to several film companies, Xue Xiaolu was about to give up. She even couldn't understand it. "Lin Feng, why are you so persistent! I think China Film Group's conditions are pretty good. We're just newcomers, and our movie is a low-budget film. Why do you have to bring up those unrealistic conditions?"
We haven't mentioned these conditions or qualifications yet, and besides, our movie hasn't even been released, so how can we expect others to believe it? And right now, besides yourself, who else would believe it?
To be honest, I don't believe it either! Besides, nobody can accurately predict movie box office results; many blockbuster movies often flop! Only if we succeed will we have the right to make demands.
Lin Feng, let's be realistic. I don't want to keep running around anymore, and I agree to China Film's distribution terms!
"Director Xue, we've only visited a few film and television companies. There's still a chance. My conditions may seem outrageous, but they're not wishful thinking!"
I'm doing this for the sake of our movie. Besides, "Love is Not Blind" is a box office hit, and that's an honor for all of us!
And you, as the director, will receive the most honors! Your next film will then have funding! All those film companies will be vying to invest in you!
Okay, everyone's tired, you should rest first. I'll run a little more by myself. If I can't run two more times, I won't force myself!